Bekah Pumphrey // Administrative Coordinator

Bekah helped co-found AOTA along with Ozay Moore. She has provided insight into the development and implementation of AOTA programming, events, and community-building strategies over the past decade.

She is a co-founder of fourconifers.com, a social hub & lifestyle brand. In the various roles she has played in both non-profit and for-profit sectors, there has always been an underlining theme of community serving and building.

James Gardin // Program Director & B.A.R.S Instructor

James uses his art and message to inspire all those around him to live their life fully, and encounter their purpose daily.

He has performed hundreds of shows around the world, amassed millions of plays and downloads with coverage on top web sites, publications, and radio (HipHopDX, Earmilk, 2DopeBoyz, DJBooth, Paste, The Word Is Bond, Rapzilla, Lansing State Journal, Grungecake, Respect Mag, Sphere of Hip-Hop, USA Today and many more.).

He has also had songs featured on Tommy Hilfiger ads, Mobile, ESPN, Fox Sports, GaryVee TV, and Black&SexyTV.

Carla Brooks // Website & Newsletter Editor, instagram, Writer

Carla is Oregon born, Michigan raised. In her early 20’s, she got her start in web editiing at Chown Hardware apprenticing under their then marketing manager. There, she developed her skills in design, print, event planning, and media.

She later went on to write and create photography content for grkids, co-create its sister site, Lansingfamilyfun.com where she was site and newsletter editor, and would produce social media travel vlogs along with various video content.

Carla has been running AOTA’s website from the very beginning. Early on, she supported AOTA in the areas of design, photography, and event planning.

She now functions as the AOTA website, newsletter, and Instagram editor, is on the events committee, and photographs programs and events.

Carla is also a co-founder of fourconifers.com where she and her siblings use their platform, to share their journey through grief and the mantra “Vale la Pena” - [Life] is worth it.

Young Yi // Breaking Instructor

Young Yi aka B-boy Young One is one of our instructors for All of the Above Hip-Hop Academy's Breaking classes. He got into breaking in 2009 when he started college at Michigan State University.

In 2010, he, along with some friends began his crew "99 Stylez" and has since then been rocking in the Michigan breaking scene and beyond. Young enjoys listening and dancing to different styles of music to help influence his breaking styles. These genres include hip-hop, Korean hip-hop, jazz, classic rock, and orchestral/symphonic music. Young is married to his wife Hannah and lives on the Eastside of Lansing.

Tabor Vits // Breaking Instructor

Tabor Vits aka Flava Vitz began breaking in 2010 while attending Michigan State University (MSU). He joined 99stylez in 2012, after which crewmate Carl Bowers brought him on as a co-instructor with AOTA Breaking Classes in 2014. Through travel in 2017, Tabor connected with Bboy Tafiya, who then welcomed him into the World Serpent Collective.

Tabor draws inspiration from his crewmates, as well as friends in B.A.D. Crew, 61syx Teknique, Motor City Street Dance Academy, and Kybalion Crew.

Tabor’s experience as an educator stems from his time studying at the MSU Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH). Professors and peers broadened his understanding of education and exposed him to the teachings and practices of authors like Bell Hooks and Paulo Freire. After graduating, Tabor taught art classes at REACH Studio Art Center for a number of years. He owes much of what he’s learned to students, collaborators, and mentors he has known at both REACH and AOTA.

Tabor lives in Lansing with his partner Hallie Jo, and outside dance you’ll often find him foraging, gardening, cooking, and being a total nerd (D&D, anime, video games, you name it).

Photo credit: Steven Glynn https://www.sglynnphoto.com/

Young Heat // B.A.R.S Instructor

Soulful, energetic, & universal are three words that best describe the sound of music producer DeMarnio “TheyCallMeHeat” Stanley. With influences ranging from the late James “J Dilla” Yancey (R.I.P.), Pharrell Williams & Dr. Dre, Heat has developed a distinct sound that covers many different genres. 

 In 2008, Heat began to make a name for himself locally by working with a group of well-known local artists as well as online through websites like “Soundclick”, which gave producers an opportunity to network and sell beats. In 2012 Heat entered the iStandard Beat Battle Showcase with producer panel judges, iLLMind & The Olympicks (Maybach Music/ Cash Money Records) representing Detroit, Michigan he placed 2nd in the competition. In 2015, Heat also produced “On Fleek” by A-Game Writers, which was a song featured on the hit television series ‘EMPIRE’ (Season 2: Episode 4 - Poor Yorick), by 20th Century FOX Network. Heat has produced music on many different TV Networks, independent albums, & mixtapes in addition to producing full original albums with his friends/ Outersound Music Group, and a slew of local artists. 

JACOB WESTON // GRAPHIC DESIGNER

He/Him/His

Jacob Weston grew up in Lansing, Michigan rooted deeply in the punk and hardcore community. Utilizing those DIY ethics, he began to book shows and tours during his high school years. Out of necessity, Jacob began experimenting in design by creating flyers, shirts, and album layouts for bands and events he was involved with. Through touring and booking shows, he built a network of talented friends, from around the country, and became a point person, bringing touring acts to mid-Michigan.

In his early 20s, Jacob started branching out into different genres, thanks to influence from, his now wife, Julia Weston (Hernandez) and her family. As he dove deeper into Hip Hop, he connected to the culture’s like-minded ethics and overall respect and dedication to the craft.

Now, Jacob seeks to utilize his skills refined from DIY punk and hardcore culture, as well as his love for music and family, to create a thriving community in Lansing enriched with music, art, and culture.

Jahshua Smith // AYO Instructor

Jahshua Smith is an emcee from Detroit who is currently teaching our AYO class, leading the young craftsmen who are seeking greater leadership opportunities within the AOTA crew.

He began his rap career while attending Michigan State University and has three full-length projects to his name, The Final Season, The Fourth Wall, and They Don't Love You Like That.

Outside of music he is an accomplished community organizer and consultant, infusing his knowledge of hip-hop to assist with programs centered around utilizing rap music to provide trauma-informed care to students.

He also works in the realm of college access, helping to strengthen initiatives designed to increase the ease of access for young students to attend college. He and his wife, Rachel, currently reside on the westside of Lansing and take part in various neighborhood enrichment activities.